The England versus South Africa Test Series Preview

Ah, England. Just when you master one format and become ODI world champions, you immediately usher in a brand-new Banter Era in the other. Chris Silverwood’s reign as head coach kicked off in tremendous fashion in New Zealand, with the former Essex man determined to out-do the ECB’s reigning Banter Coach Supreme Peter Moores by picking five seamers (no spinner), giving Ollie Pope the gloves and promoting Joe “No Pants” Denly to cap-giving duty. It’s hilarious stuff all-round, and if, like me, you prefer your test cricket served with a healthy dose of comedy gold, then the Silverwood regime is on track to be England’s finest hour since the glory days of the 2007 World Twenty20.

But for those who are less enamoured with The Banter, it’s a very different picture. England are yet to win a test under Silverwood, losing the first by an innings and drawing the second without giving New Zealand too much of a fright. Several question marks remain over the make-up of the side, and with a refurbished South Africa coaching staff promising a much more stable opposition than could have been expected a few months ago, the upcoming test series looks to be a daunting prospect for Joe Root’s side.

Messing players about by shunting them up and down the order like an Ian Bell-shaped yo-yo is hardly a new issue for England

Quite what that side is going to comprise of, and what order it will line up in, is unclear for now. What is clear is that England will need to define specific roles for each member of the squad and stick to them. Messing players about by shunting them up and down the order like an Ian Bell-shaped yo-yo is hardly a new issue for England, but it feels particularly problematic right now. Moeen Ali’s indefinite break from test cricket comes, in part, as a direct consequence of being fiddled about: he has batted in every position from 1 to 8 while leading the side’s spin attack the whole time (we don’t speak of the Liam Dawson era). This can’t happen again. In an era light on red ball players of test quality, England cannot afford to misuse the handful of talents they identify as being up to the task: without them, the cupboard is full of little but Incredibly Banter Options.

The top order line-up is, perhaps, slightly more settled now than it was at the start of the New Zealand tour – Denly’s surprising adeptness at not being terrible at number 3 has allowed Joe Root to regain form at 4 – but it is the middle order where the most options lie. Ollie Pope has been highly rated by England for some time, and is deserving of the extended run at 6 he is likely to get, but even he appears somewhat vulnerable: he has batted at 4, 6 and 7 in a career spanning just four tests, and is arguably the most likely batter for the chop should England choose to repeat the five bowler strategy of the second New Zealand test.

The ECB are also keen for Jonny Bairstow to force his way back into contention. He, like so many others, has filled most roles from 3 to 7, but if he stands any chance it is likely to be as a specialist batsman, with Jos Buttler the preferred choice behind the stumps. Whatever order Silverwood and Root plump for ahead of the Boxing Day test, they must stick to it, or risk more of the same uncertainty creeping into their game.

Jofra Archer struggled against New Zealand, and, though his ability is unquestionable, he must be managed carefully

There are issues, too, surrounding the bowling. Chris Woakes performed well after being recalled, and the return of Jimmy Anderson to the squad will bolster the pace battery. But after failing to take 20 wickets for two successive tests, questions must be asked. Jofra Archer struggled against New Zealand, and, though his ability is unquestionable, he must be managed carefully if he is to have maximum impact in the future. Sam Curran, too, is a real talent for the future, but currently is no more than a third seamer and must improve if he is to be selected as a frontline option. Silverwood’s preferred combination of bowlers isn’t yet clear, and he and Root will want to give most of their attack a fair crack of the whip before narrowing down their options ahead of the Sri Lanka series in the Spring.

From the pool available to them, England have chosen the right players for this tour. What is vital is the way in which they are deployed. The eleven selected for the first New Zealand test seems to be a good base to build upon – few disputed that was the right team in the circumstances – but it’s crucial that Root and Silverwood back the decisions they make. As funny as another series of five seamers and Zak Crawley at 6 would be, Doing Well At Cricket and maybe Actually Winning A Test Match are preferable outcomes to yet another addition to the Banter Timeline: that just can’t happen unless all are certain of their roles in the side.